Around 150 people, comprising roughly equal numbers of men and women, marched through Madrid city centre yesterday to protest against sexist violence.

Organised by the Madrid Assembly of Men Against Macho Violence, the protesters walked down the calle Atocha from the Carlos V roundabout to the Plaza Jacinto Benavente accompanied by the music of Luz Casal and carrying placards with slogans such as 'An end to family terrorism', and 'Free abortion in hospital now'.

Among those taking part was socialist councillor, Pedro Zerolo, who underlined the significance of the event being organised by men "because women have been alone in the fight against macho violence for too long."

Mr Zerolo, who is the PSOE's Social Movements secretary, continued by saying that, "men need to be part of the solution, not the problem. I think this is a very necessary demonstration. Men need to tell macho males that they're not real men, that they're nothing and that they're violent. Because sexism is violence not only when they kill or injure, but also when they discriminate against a woman just for being a woman."